Data Collection Methods

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Data Collection Methods Tools what you will
use Procedure - who, what, when where, why,
and how
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The ultimate goal of action research is to
understand what is happening by using data.
Remember data based decision making is another
name for action research.
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Data
Are any form of information observations or facts
that you collect or record. Data tells us what
is going on, whos doing it, and why. It tells
us more than we might already know/feel because
it is systematic - visible - permanent PLUS its
what NCLB wants
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Data
When collecting data ask yourself How can I
capture what I need to know to answer/understand
my focus question/s?
Data is the plural of?
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When designing your data collection measures let
your focus be your guide.
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Action research is systematic therefore the data
collection (tools) you create must be focused on
your focus and the recipe (how to perform data
collection) must be clear.
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Think Ahead Data Collection Considerations

• What data will you collect?
• From whom will you collect data?
• When will you collect it?
• How will you collect it?
• How often will you collect data?
• Remember breaks holidays!

AR methods due 2/27 Collect data Analysis due 4/3
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Where can data come from?
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Look at Data that is Already There
Routine - Classroom artifacts Student made -
homework, seatwork writing samples, drawings,
quizzes, projects Teacher made - lesson/unit
plans, handouts, tests, rubrics, running records,
behavior contracts, parent communication
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If what you need is not there think about ways
to get information
Non-routine data collection journals, surveys,
questionnaires, interviews observations
Draw upon what you learned from your lit review
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• Ethical considerations when collecting data
• Make sure all people who will be involved are
  consulted and have consented to be involved. Get
  permission if necessary - informed consent.
• 2) Honor/respect those who decline.
• 3) Avoid deception. Keep your work visible and
  open to inspection and suggestion.
• 4) Accept responsibility for confidentiality.

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Data COLLECTION
The ultimate goal of collecting data is to gather
enough information (data) to help you understand
what is going on so you can design an effective
intervention. To do this your collection should
be accurate and credible. Accuracy reliable
a true picture Credible valid trustworthy or
capable of being believed
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Data COLLECTION

• To achieve accuracy and credibility
• Record your observations carefully and precisely.
  Record/report everything that is important not
  just what you want. (/-)
• Be as objective as possible in describing and
  interpreting what you see.
• 4. Use the right kind of data sources.
• Use enough data sources - triangulation.
• Look long enough and deep enough.

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Data Collection

• To improve validity gather information through
  various data collection techniques
• Experiencing (through observation and field
  notes)
• Enquiring (When you the researcher asks)
• Examining (Using and making records)

Instrument Tool to help collect data. Ex. A
survey
As adapted from Geoffrey E. Mills Action
Research A Guide for the Teacher Researcher.
2003. (pg. 71)
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Data Collection Enquiring

• Enquiring (When you the researcher asks)
• Interviews
• Formal and structured
• Informal and conversational
• Questionnaires
• Attitude Scales

As adapted from Geoffrey E. Mills Action
Research A Guide for the Teacher Researcher.
2003.
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Data Collection Examining

• Examining (Using and making records)
• Archival Documents
• Journals
• Artifacts

As adapted from Geoffrey E. Mills Action
Research A Guide for the Teacher Researcher.
2003.
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Triangulation
The strength of action research research lies in
triangulation or collecting information in
several ways rather than one.
Survey (enquiring)
Say
Observation (experiencing)
test scores
Do
Outcome
(examining)
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Triangulation - the process of collecting
collaborative evidence from different
individuals (e.g., the teacher, the
students) varied types (e.g., field notes,
interviews) methods (e.g., documents
(numbers) and interviews)
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If possible try to get

• Experiencing - Observe what students DO
  Observational data can come from
• ? A Checklist
• ? Tally marks
• ? Field notes (see sample protocol in packet)
• ? A journal you keep
• Enquiring - Listen to what students/teachers SAY
  Inquiry data can come from
• ? Interview (one-on-one, focus group) (see sample
  protocol in packet)
• ? Questionnaire
• ? A survey
• ? Attitude scales
• Examining - Collect a sample of student work
  (assessments and artifacts) OUTCOME
• ? Student daily work or homework
• ? Projects
• ? Tests and other assessments (Teacher created
  and/or norm referenced)
• ? Scored performances (performance rubrics)

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A Triangulation Matrix in the Mills Text page 53
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Sample Triangulation Matrix

• On the following slide is a sample triangulation
  matrix for an action research project of a
  teacher that wanted to see if some new
  instructional software would improve students
  keyboarding skills

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  Figure 1. Triangulation Matrix Example ( Mills,
2003)
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Data collection samples
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4 overarching themes how students felt about The
ability to do math The value they assign to math
in school in the world The emotions they
feel about math The use of math in their future
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Likert scales can be developed for finer
discriminations
Thinking about the value of brain research for
educators, please indicate your beliefs by
circling the response that indicates whether you
Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Mildly Agree
(MA), Mildly Disagree (MD), Disagree (D), or
Strongly Disagree (SD).
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Thought Bubble Picture
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Its OK to Reword Your Focus if Necessary
Once you begin to develop your data collection
methods you may find yourself drawn in other
directions that appear more relevant or
problematic. You may find it necessary to
clarify/edit your focus.